Craniognomy

/ˌkreɪniˈɑːɡnəmi/ noun

Definition

The practice of judging character, abilities, or personality based on the shape and bumps of the skull; a form of phrenology.

Etymology

From Greek 'kranion' (skull) + 'gnome' (judgment/knowledge). Craniognomy emerged in late 18th-century phrenology as practitioners claimed to read personality from skull morphology.

Kelly Says

Craniognomy infected 19th-century thinking so deeply that it was used to justify racism, colonialism, and eugenics—making it a perfect cautionary tale about how official-sounding measurements can mask bigotry.

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